ED raids Pinarayi Vijayan's homes in CMRL-Exalogic case; CPI(M) cries political witch-hunt
Synopsis
The ED descended on 10 Kerala locations tied to former CM Pinarayi Vijayan at dawn, targeting his residences and premises linked to his daughter's IT firm Exalogic in the CMRL payments case. CPI(M) chief M.A. Baby invoked the Emergency era to frame it as political persecution — but pointedly refused to address the case on its merits.
Key Takeaways
The ED raided 10 locations across Kerala from 6 am on 27 May , targeting former CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residences and associates.
The probe centres on alleged payments from CMRL to Veena Vijayan's firm Exalogic for services reportedly not rendered.
CPI(M) General Secretary M.A.
Baby called the raids 'a heinous crime against Pinarayi Vijayan' and accused the Modi government of political targeting.
Baby drew parallels with the Emergency era but declined to address the case on its merits.
Protests broke out in Kannur and Kozhikode ; security was tightened for BJP leader Shaun George .
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday, 27 May conducted simultaneous searches at 10 locations across Kerala linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his family, and associates in the CMRL-Exalogic case — triggering an immediate political firestorm, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) denouncing the action as a targeted assault on its top leadership.
The searches, which began at 6 am, covered Vijayan's residences in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, the Kozhikode home of former Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, premises linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), and other locations connected to alleged financial transactions involving Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan's IT firm Exalogic.
What the CMRL-Exalogic Case Is About
The case centres on allegations that Exalogic received payments from CMRL for services that were allegedly never rendered. Riyas, the Beypore CPI(M) legislator, is Veena's husband, making the family connections central to the probe. The ED action follows a Kerala High Court order permitting the agency's investigation to proceed.
CPI(M)'s Sharp Response
CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby described the raids as 'a heinous crime against Pinarayi Vijayan' and alleged that the Narendra Modi-led Centre was deploying central agencies to politically neutralise the party's most senior Kerala leader. 'The justification for this raid is the Kerala High Court order allowing the ED probe to continue. But Veena Vijayan had cooperated with the investigation and appeared before the concerned officials whenever summoned,' Baby said.
Baby drew a pointed historical parallel, alleging: 'Even during the Emergency, Pinarayi Vijayan was haunted. Now the Modi government is repeating the same.' He also accused the Indian National Congress (Congress) of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in targeting Vijayan. Notably, Baby stopped short of engaging with the merits of the case, stating: 'I am not going into the merits of the CMRL issue. The company itself has made its position clear.'
Protests Erupt Across Kerala
The ED action set off protests in Kannur and Kozhikode, with CPI(M) workers raising slogans against the Centre and the agency. Senior party leaders convened emergency consultations, and indications were that demonstrations could spread statewide through the day.
Security Tightened, BJP Leader Protected
Amid the escalating tensions, security was tightened for BJP leader Shaun George, who was reportedly among those instrumental in pursuing complaints related to the Veena Vijayan case before the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). The development signals the potential for sustained political confrontation between the ruling Left in Kerala and the BJP-led Centre in the days ahead.
Point of View
Which is rarely the posture of a party confident in the facts. The Kerala High Court's green light to the ED probe is not a trivial detail; it insulates the Centre from the 'agency misuse' charge to a degree. What this episode actually tests is whether the Left Front's organisational strength in Kerala can convert outrage into durable political capital, or whether sustained legal scrutiny of Vijayan's family circle will erode the moral authority that has long been the CPI(M)'s sharpest electoral weapon in the state.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CMRL-Exalogic case?
The case involves allegations that Exalogic, an IT firm owned by Veena Vijayan — daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan — received payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) for services that were allegedly never rendered. The ED is investigating the alleged financial transactions under money-laundering provisions.
Why did the ED raid Pinarayi Vijayan's residences?
The ED conducted the raids as part of its ongoing probe into the CMRL-Exalogic case, following a Kerala High Court order permitting the investigation to continue. Searches covered Vijayan's homes in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, as well as premises linked to former Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas and CMRL.
What did CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby say about the raids?
Baby called the raids 'a heinous crime against Pinarayi Vijayan' and alleged that the Modi-led Centre was using central agencies for political targeting. He also accused the Congress of siding with the BJP against Vijayan, and drew a parallel with political persecution during the Emergency era.
Who is P.A. Mohammed Riyas and why is he linked to the case?
P.A. Mohammed Riyas is the Beypore CPI(M) legislator and a former Kerala minister. He is Veena Vijayan's husband, which places him at the centre of the family connections the ED is examining in the CMRL-Exalogic probe.
What is the political fallout from the ED raids?
Protests erupted in Kannur and Kozhikode immediately after the raids, with CPI(M) workers demonstrating against the Centre and the ED. Senior party leaders held emergency consultations, and the demonstrations were expected to spread across Kerala. Security was also tightened for BJP leader Shaun George, who had pursued complaints in the case before the SFIO.
